We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.

We will be staying in Sittingborne visiting the village where my husband's family were born. Our plan is to base ourselves in Lewes for 3 nights but on the way to Lewes we thought we would spend 1 night visiting something things on our wish list possibly Sissinghurst Gardens/Bodiam Castle/Battle/Rye/Tenterden. I doubt if we can do all these in 1 day so any advice on 'must see" would be appreciated. Help on choosing where to stay for the 1 night would be appreciated. We will have a car but are travelling from Australia so we are not used to the roads. My husband would prefer not to be heavy traffic! We thought rather than stay in Lews for the four days we should stay over one night en route to save doubling back from Lewes.

Not a chance. There is too much to see. I lived in the area for 45 years. My preference would be Bodiam Castle then Tenterden which are close to each other. Tenterden is a nice town and has a steam railway (www.kesr.org.uk) as an attraction.

Battle is not very exciting, Rye is a pleasant place and you could fit in a couple of hours there after Tenterden. it's not far, about 18km. Sissinghurst Gardens I cannot comment on, gardens are not my thing.

Traffic is very busy on most roads in the UK and Tunbridge Wells is clogged up half the time. Why not stay in Tenterden itself? Or Rye?

+1 for Tenterden. It's a very agreeable, pretty little town with a good selection of restaurants and shops, and kind of halfway from Sittingbourne to Lewes.

After Tenterden, if you want to see Rye before Lewes, the drive along the B2080 road to Appledore and then Military Road to Rye is one of my Kent favourites. You can then pick up the main road to Lewes from Rye.

Not far from Rye is Great Dixter Garden, which in midsummer in particular is not to be missed. Close to Sevenoaks is Ightham Mote, a National Trust moated manor house surrounded by a small but rather lovely garden, which I'm sure you would enjoy. Also in this area is Winston Churchill's home at Chartwell and Emmetts Garden (both also NT properties). Close to Tenterden is Smallhythe, the home of the actress Ellen Terry (yet another NT property); a fascinating house with again, a lovely garden surrounding it.

Tenterden is my nearest town and a very good base to drive to all the places you want to see. There are some nice shops, three pubs and several restaurants and cafes. Parking can be a problem so make sure anywhere you stay has parking available.

Sissinghurst is nice, but unless it is mid Summer when it looks lovely I think it can disappoint a bit. I don't know when you are visiting but other places less known that you could look at are Hole Park with lovely gardens and also Godinton House on the outskirts of Ashford.

Agree with all of the previous posters who are recommending Tenterden. It's a lovely old market town with nice restaurants and lots of good places to stay. A very convenient base for the places that you want to visit.

I don't agree with the previous comment about Sissinghurst. We live nearby and visit very frequently. The gardens are fabulous throughout all of the seasons. Go there - you will not be disappointed.

I also live near Sissinghurst and guess I need to expand on my comment as would not want to put anyone off visiting. The OP has not said what time of year they are here and this would make a difference. I have been when it has looked stunning and the change of colour scheme in each part really came into their own but that was mid to late summer when imo it is at its best, the white garden in bloom makes a wonderful contrast to the other colours. It is beautifully designed and I cannot fault the care taken by the staff, but too early or late in the year it does lack the colour many visitors are expecting.

The gardens are usually full of colour in early May, particularly the Lime Walk and Delos, where you will find carpets of spring flowers. The bluebells in the woodland area should also be out then. I reckon that it's worth visiting Sissinghurst for the bluebells alone - they're breathtakingly beautiful and smell divine.

* TripAdvisor LLC is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... (more)

We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.

TripAdvisor LLC is not responsible for content on external web sites. Taxes, fees not included for deals content.